Consumer Education
- Finding Catfish for Backyard Pond
- How to Remove Set-in Stains
- Why I love my Mini Cooper
- Man Bought a Car with Spare Change
- Curly or Straight Hair
- Comparing Stain Treatments
- How to Save Energy Doing Laundry
- Save Money by Dry Cleaning at Home
- What NOT to Wear to a Reunion
- My Trip to the Opry Mills Outlet
Finding Catfish for Backyard Pond
Posted by
L. Marie Dubuque
L. Marie Dubuque
You've heard of koi and fancy gold fish for your backyard pond. But what about a channel catfish? Where to find them and how to transport these friendly fish.
I can tell you, finding catfish for our pond was no easy task. After fending off blue heron, pesky raccoons, snakes and even a very large snapping turtle, we couldn't keep a fish alive to save our lives.
So what's the alternative? a fish-less pond or...fish big enough to out-maneuver even the most devilish predator. Enter channel catfish. With their stealthy ways and friendly spirit, this was the fish for us. But we realized that this task wasn't going to be as simple as running down to Petsmart. We finally found a very nice fish farmer who was willing to sell us four 15 inch cats. These were big ole fish, almost two pounds each to be exact...Big enough to be predators themselves, but no. They don't devour smaller fish, and happily eat fish food and algae.
To get ready for our nearly three hour trip, we installed a power inverter hooked to the cigarette lighter that charged an aquarium pump. Otherwise we would have needed 100 gallons of water to get our fish home alive!
We arrived to find a large commercial fish farm with a huge pond and a sheltered area housing the fish tanks. We paid by the pound, thanked the owner over and over again, and set off back home, hoping the fish would make it alive. Before we left, he attached weights to the aquarium tubing (something we hadn't thought of) and set us on our way. I'll never forget that man. He didn't charge us any more than he would have if we were buying thousands of fish. And he didn't get tired of my questions about how to keep the heron away.
And yes, the fish made it home alive, and we arrived, not completely over-stressed. A message to the heron: You've met your match!
So what's the alternative? a fish-less pond or...fish big enough to out-maneuver even the most devilish predator. Enter channel catfish. With their stealthy ways and friendly spirit, this was the fish for us. But we realized that this task wasn't going to be as simple as running down to Petsmart. We finally found a very nice fish farmer who was willing to sell us four 15 inch cats. These were big ole fish, almost two pounds each to be exact...Big enough to be predators themselves, but no. They don't devour smaller fish, and happily eat fish food and algae.
To get ready for our nearly three hour trip, we installed a power inverter hooked to the cigarette lighter that charged an aquarium pump. Otherwise we would have needed 100 gallons of water to get our fish home alive!
We arrived to find a large commercial fish farm with a huge pond and a sheltered area housing the fish tanks. We paid by the pound, thanked the owner over and over again, and set off back home, hoping the fish would make it alive. Before we left, he attached weights to the aquarium tubing (something we hadn't thought of) and set us on our way. I'll never forget that man. He didn't charge us any more than he would have if we were buying thousands of fish. And he didn't get tired of my questions about how to keep the heron away.
And yes, the fish made it home alive, and we arrived, not completely over-stressed. A message to the heron: You've met your match!
Posted by
L. Marie Dubuque
L. Marie Dubuque
A look at Spray'n Wash Max. Does it really work? Putting this product to the test.
This was a fun job. I poured ketchup on a sweater made of 75% silk, 20% cotton and 5% cashmere. After rubbing in the red mess and letting it sit for 24 hours, I applied Spray 'n Wash Max which boasts that it can remove even dried-on stains. I followed the instructions and promptly put the shirt in the gentle cycle with cold water.
When the cycle was finished, I took it out and was surprised to find the stain was still there but barely noticeable. Had I been walking down the street, you wouldn't have stopped and stared at the woman with the ketchup stain all over her shirt. So I decided to run it through the wash one more time. As soon as I took out the garment, I could not see any stain at all. I all but took a magnifying glass to it and did not see one single mark. I don't know if this product works on all stains, or stains that are older, but it did on this one.
When the cycle was finished, I took it out and was surprised to find the stain was still there but barely noticeable. Had I been walking down the street, you wouldn't have stopped and stared at the woman with the ketchup stain all over her shirt. So I decided to run it through the wash one more time. As soon as I took out the garment, I could not see any stain at all. I all but took a magnifying glass to it and did not see one single mark. I don't know if this product works on all stains, or stains that are older, but it did on this one.
Posted by
L. Marie Dubuque
L. Marie Dubuque
The deal was done and I drove home in a brand new bright red Mini Cooper S. Since that day in June, I have never looked back. Here's why:
I never thought I could love a car this much. Not since I sold my 10 year old BMW 325I convertible in 2004 have I ever been this enthralled with a vehicle. Maybe it's the fire-engine-red color, or the zippiness of it's little engine. Or maybe it's all the gas I'm saving zipping all over town!
Whatever the reason, this is the car for me. When my husband told me last spring that he really wanted to sell our 2001 Jeep Wrangler, I wasn't overly enthused. The Wrangler never gave us a minute's worth of trouble. It was as cute as it was reliable. But ever the economist, he insisted on a more fuel efficient car. So off we went. The problem was, cars that were gas-saving, were nothing to look at. We wandered through dealerships and looked online. My ever-patient hubby was getting ansy. He knew SUVs were depreciating and we were no closer to finding a suitable replacement...until I came across a Money Magazine article on the most fuel efficent cars for the money. When I saw that cute little Mini, I was hooked.
When we got to the Mini dealership, we didn't see exactly what we wanted. But it didn't matter. We could order a car. Since they do not deal on price (they really don't) we could basically custom-order what we wanted. We had fun tracking it from the factory in Great Britain to the port in New York and on to our local dealership. And we actually saved money ordering because we didn't have to buy those bells and whistles we really weren't interested in.
And just like Jeep owners, Mini drivers wave when they see you. This is one club I like being a part of.
Whatever the reason, this is the car for me. When my husband told me last spring that he really wanted to sell our 2001 Jeep Wrangler, I wasn't overly enthused. The Wrangler never gave us a minute's worth of trouble. It was as cute as it was reliable. But ever the economist, he insisted on a more fuel efficient car. So off we went. The problem was, cars that were gas-saving, were nothing to look at. We wandered through dealerships and looked online. My ever-patient hubby was getting ansy. He knew SUVs were depreciating and we were no closer to finding a suitable replacement...until I came across a Money Magazine article on the most fuel efficent cars for the money. When I saw that cute little Mini, I was hooked.
When we got to the Mini dealership, we didn't see exactly what we wanted. But it didn't matter. We could order a car. Since they do not deal on price (they really don't) we could basically custom-order what we wanted. We had fun tracking it from the factory in Great Britain to the port in New York and on to our local dealership. And we actually saved money ordering because we didn't have to buy those bells and whistles we really weren't interested in.
And just like Jeep owners, Mini drivers wave when they see you. This is one club I like being a part of.
Man Bought a Car with Spare Change
Posted by
L. Marie Dubuque
L. Marie Dubuque
The story about an Ohio man who collected enough spare change to buy a car is inspiring! But actually, people are carrying less and less change.
When I read the article about the 70 year old Ohio man who brought 16 coffee cans full of spare change to the car dealership I was intrigued. Actually the coins only paid for half the car. He wrote a check to cover the rest of the $16,000 vehicle. Still, what a great use of spare change!
I try to save my extra coins. I envision what I can buy with them. But I've found I collect less and less spare change. I get cash back on my credit card purchases. So I try to put as much as I can on my card, even coffee or a newspaper. It works great. I get a check every couple months. It's like a windfall. But that only works if you pay your entire credit card bill at the end of the month. Otherwise you'll pay more in interest than you get back.
Will we become a cash-free society one of these days? I already see it happening. With direct deposit becoming more popular and the use of credit and debit cards rising, will good old fashioned quarters and dollar bills simply disappear? It's happening in Europe, so why not here? I'm prepared for the transition, but I'm not sure I'm ready. No more tip jars at Starbucks? No more coin operated newspaper machines? I guess we'll have to get used to the idea...because there really isn't any other choice.
I try to save my extra coins. I envision what I can buy with them. But I've found I collect less and less spare change. I get cash back on my credit card purchases. So I try to put as much as I can on my card, even coffee or a newspaper. It works great. I get a check every couple months. It's like a windfall. But that only works if you pay your entire credit card bill at the end of the month. Otherwise you'll pay more in interest than you get back.
Will we become a cash-free society one of these days? I already see it happening. With direct deposit becoming more popular and the use of credit and debit cards rising, will good old fashioned quarters and dollar bills simply disappear? It's happening in Europe, so why not here? I'm prepared for the transition, but I'm not sure I'm ready. No more tip jars at Starbucks? No more coin operated newspaper machines? I guess we'll have to get used to the idea...because there really isn't any other choice.
Posted by
L. Marie Dubuque
L. Marie Dubuque
A story on Good Morning America about curly versus straight hair created a lot of controversy. But why?
The other day, Good Morning America reporter Taryn Brill did a story on people's reactions to curly versus straight hair. I had just written an article about styling products for curls, so the piece piqued my interest. And I have lived my entire life either fighting or embracing my curls, depending on the decade.
I wasn't surprised when the group of men who were polled favored straight hair. I wasn't even shocked when the classroom full of children thought the straighter hair was "prettier and less messy." But what I was suprised to learn was that during the job interview, the corporate bosses though she was more confident with curls! I thought, now that is a breakthrough. Because for so long, curly locks were thought to be "unprofessional." I mean, you never see a news anchor with a head full of ringlets, or a CEO for that matter.
The day after the story ran, GMA got a flurry of phone calls and e-mails..over curly hair? I guess it's a sensitive subject for a lot of people. But really, would a man with a head full of curls be equally as scrutinized? Maybe so. After all, people base their first impressions on people's appearance. I really don't care if people like curls or not. But at least curly heads are being taken seriously in the boardroom. It's a start. Now if people could just let go of the blonde stereotype.
I wasn't surprised when the group of men who were polled favored straight hair. I wasn't even shocked when the classroom full of children thought the straighter hair was "prettier and less messy." But what I was suprised to learn was that during the job interview, the corporate bosses though she was more confident with curls! I thought, now that is a breakthrough. Because for so long, curly locks were thought to be "unprofessional." I mean, you never see a news anchor with a head full of ringlets, or a CEO for that matter.
The day after the story ran, GMA got a flurry of phone calls and e-mails..over curly hair? I guess it's a sensitive subject for a lot of people. But really, would a man with a head full of curls be equally as scrutinized? Maybe so. After all, people base their first impressions on people's appearance. I really don't care if people like curls or not. But at least curly heads are being taken seriously in the boardroom. It's a start. Now if people could just let go of the blonde stereotype.
Posted by
L. Marie Dubuque
L. Marie Dubuque
Putting Three of the leading types of pre-treatments to the test will help you decide which product to buy.
I took a pink sweater made from 64% rayon and 36% nylon and poured spicy brown mustard in three different places on the garment. I rubbed in the mustard and let it sit for three minutes.
I used the following spray-on stain treatments:
I then reapplied the treatments to the exact same areas on the sweaters and ran it through the wash again. This time, every stain was non-existant. I got other people's opinions as well. No one could tell me where the original stains were.
So if you have a mustard stain and you don't know which of these products to use, I would recommend whichever one is on sale.
I used the following spray-on stain treatments:
- Clorox Oxi Magic
- Spray & Wash with Lemon Power
- Shout Triple Action
I then reapplied the treatments to the exact same areas on the sweaters and ran it through the wash again. This time, every stain was non-existant. I got other people's opinions as well. No one could tell me where the original stains were.
So if you have a mustard stain and you don't know which of these products to use, I would recommend whichever one is on sale.
How to Save Energy Doing Laundry
Posted by
L. Marie Dubuque
L. Marie Dubuque
You can look your best, spend less time in the laundry room and save energy all at the same time!
Just like you don’t want to make unnecessary trips in your car, you don’t want your washing machine and dryer to see to much action either. If you’re one of those people who runs a load everyday, change your habits…fast.
- Halt the hot! If you think cold, you’ll get a warm and fuzzy feeling all over, knowing you saved money and energy. If you’re used to washing white towels in hot water, start using cold. The trick is to add only a tablespoon of bleach to the load. You’ll notice the towels feel clean and soft and the white is really white, not that dingy white. But don’t overdo it on the bleach. The material won’t last as long and you’ll find yourself replacing towels much more often than you intended to.
- Fill the machine to the top and don’t over-fill. You don’t want to waste water by not putting enough clothes in, but you also don't want to over-fill the machine. If you stuff it too full and a wayward sock falls out of the bin your machine will likely malfunction.
- Ditch the dryer! If you can, air dry everything. If that’s not possible dry half way and line dry the rest. Simply hang a clothes line in your back yard (check with your neighborhood organization or community guidelines first) or invest in an inexpensive clothes rack you can set in the laundry room or basement. Stick with stainless steel or another material that won’t rust with wet clothes hanging on it. Never buy a wood rack. It will rot!
Save Money by Dry Cleaning at Home
Posted by
L. Marie Dubuque
L. Marie Dubuque
Tired of spending money on dry cleaning? Dry cleaning at home may be the answer...or is it?
Dry cleaning is expensive. No one wants to waste gas, time and the cost of dry cleaning itself. Dry Cleaner’s Secret are these nifty little sheets you simply put in the dryer with your clothes. One box will clean 50 garments for around $20.
So I figure I'd give it a whirl. I decided to try one sheet with a silk cocktail dress I had only worn for a couple of hours. (By the way, this product is not for use on suede or leather.) I followed the instructions and put the sheet in the dryer with my dress, set the machine on medium heat and waited 20 minutes. When I took my dress out, it looked clean and fresh. Since it was not very worn to begin with, I couldn’t tell any difference in the fabric. And there were no stains on the dress. However, the package does contain a pre treatment for stains that you apply before you place the garment in the dryer.
Would I recommend Dry Cleaner’s Secret? Yes, if you have something you need cleaned quickly and is not very soiled. But if you have an expensive, heavily soiled outfit, I would still leave that to the professionals.
So I figure I'd give it a whirl. I decided to try one sheet with a silk cocktail dress I had only worn for a couple of hours. (By the way, this product is not for use on suede or leather.) I followed the instructions and put the sheet in the dryer with my dress, set the machine on medium heat and waited 20 minutes. When I took my dress out, it looked clean and fresh. Since it was not very worn to begin with, I couldn’t tell any difference in the fabric. And there were no stains on the dress. However, the package does contain a pre treatment for stains that you apply before you place the garment in the dryer.
Would I recommend Dry Cleaner’s Secret? Yes, if you have something you need cleaned quickly and is not very soiled. But if you have an expensive, heavily soiled outfit, I would still leave that to the professionals.
Posted by
L. Marie Dubuque
L. Marie Dubuque
The outfit you choose for your high school reunion says a lot about who you are and what you've become. So buy carefully!
I remember shopping for a dress for my 10th high school reunion. It was in August of '91. The weather was hot and humid and the anticipation was palpable. It was the first time everyone from Ladue H.S. class of '81 had seen each other in 10 years.
I was living in Florida at the time so it was easy to find a sleeveless number. I remember my dad came down to visit from St. Louis and we took a short weekend trip to Key West. Normally this vibrant eclectic community would be the perfect place to find a suitable dress for a reunion. But somehow I must have picked up something left over from the holidays. Or I was suffering from a serious heat-related illness. Because the ensemble I ended up wearing involved a red sequined dress with matching red high heel suede pumps and a red purse. I'm still afraid to look at the picture. I stood out from the crowd alright...like a flapper girl from the 1920's.
For my 20th reunion I tried to go for a more subdued look...try dowdy. I went a little overboard in my conservative black dress with the high neckline. Business convention for undertakers...yes, 20th high school reunion...no.
I don't think I'll go back for another reunion. (My husand and I made a pact. We wouldn't subject each other to any more.) Besides, I remember fewer and fewer people and I'd just assume forget a lot of high school memories. (Namely frizzy hair and braces that I'd like leave in the past, thank you.)
Anyway, I'm more interested in reuniting with my middle school teachers than my high school friends, namely Kathy Mawhinney-Beal, my journalism teacher. Kathy, if you're out there, call me. We'll catch up.
I was living in Florida at the time so it was easy to find a sleeveless number. I remember my dad came down to visit from St. Louis and we took a short weekend trip to Key West. Normally this vibrant eclectic community would be the perfect place to find a suitable dress for a reunion. But somehow I must have picked up something left over from the holidays. Or I was suffering from a serious heat-related illness. Because the ensemble I ended up wearing involved a red sequined dress with matching red high heel suede pumps and a red purse. I'm still afraid to look at the picture. I stood out from the crowd alright...like a flapper girl from the 1920's.
For my 20th reunion I tried to go for a more subdued look...try dowdy. I went a little overboard in my conservative black dress with the high neckline. Business convention for undertakers...yes, 20th high school reunion...no.
I don't think I'll go back for another reunion. (My husand and I made a pact. We wouldn't subject each other to any more.) Besides, I remember fewer and fewer people and I'd just assume forget a lot of high school memories. (Namely frizzy hair and braces that I'd like leave in the past, thank you.)
Anyway, I'm more interested in reuniting with my middle school teachers than my high school friends, namely Kathy Mawhinney-Beal, my journalism teacher. Kathy, if you're out there, call me. We'll catch up.
My Trip to the Opry Mills Outlet
Posted by
L. Marie Dubuque
L. Marie Dubuque
The best finds at an outlet mall that has some good deals and good eats!
Driving home from Panama City Beach, Florida, after too much sun and too much salt, we stopped at the Grand Old Opry...not for country music. My husband and I can't tell a banjo from back hoe, but we know a good deal when we see one. And deals were a plenty at the Opry Mills outlet mall.
It is adjacent to the Gaylord Opryland hotel. The hotel is lavish and is home to more than four acres of tropical gardens enclosed in a giant atrium. This is a must-see, even if you don't stay there overnight.
Before hitting the stores, my husband, son and I ate at the Aquarium Restaurant. You can view eel, grouper, sharks and sting ray, among other spectacular salt water marine life. A little pricey, but worth a visit.
Now, stomachs and wallets full, we were ready for some heavy duty bargain hunting. Time is of the essence when you are the only female in the company of a teenage boy and a patient, yet not-overly-enthusiastic-about-shopping husband.
I gave them 15 minutes to wander around the food court while I hit the Ann Taylor Factory Store running. In those fifteen minutes I picked up my entire late-summer-early-fall wardrobe. I came away with a black and white sweater set for 25% off, a couple of racer-back tops for $8.50 and a to-die-for pair of black and white shoes for less than $30.
Now on to the Nine West store where I got the big savings. A pair of tan suede clogs and black ballet flats, each only $17!
I was out of there in less than an hour, and my son got a slurpee and my husband visited the Bass Pro shop...so everyone was happy, especially me!
It is adjacent to the Gaylord Opryland hotel. The hotel is lavish and is home to more than four acres of tropical gardens enclosed in a giant atrium. This is a must-see, even if you don't stay there overnight.
Before hitting the stores, my husband, son and I ate at the Aquarium Restaurant. You can view eel, grouper, sharks and sting ray, among other spectacular salt water marine life. A little pricey, but worth a visit.
Now, stomachs and wallets full, we were ready for some heavy duty bargain hunting. Time is of the essence when you are the only female in the company of a teenage boy and a patient, yet not-overly-enthusiastic-about-shopping husband.
I gave them 15 minutes to wander around the food court while I hit the Ann Taylor Factory Store running. In those fifteen minutes I picked up my entire late-summer-early-fall wardrobe. I came away with a black and white sweater set for 25% off, a couple of racer-back tops for $8.50 and a to-die-for pair of black and white shoes for less than $30.
Now on to the Nine West store where I got the big savings. A pair of tan suede clogs and black ballet flats, each only $17!
I was out of there in less than an hour, and my son got a slurpee and my husband visited the Bass Pro shop...so everyone was happy, especially me!